400-page book on strategic geo-economics priced at Rs 5,350; available at NBF bookshops and outlets nationwide at a 50 per cent discount.
ISLAMABAD — The National Book Foundation (NBF), operating under the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, has published Brigadier Abdul Rehman Bilal’s seminal work on Strategic Geo-Economics, titled “CONTESTED CORRIDORS: Pakistan’s Quest for Regional Prosperity”. The 400-page comprehensive volume is priced at Rs 5,350 and is currently accessible to readers across the country at a 50 per cent discount through NBF bookshops and sales outlets.
The publication examines Pakistan’s pivotal geographical positioning, regional connectivity initiatives, trade capacity, and long-term economic prospects within a broader global matrix. According to the author, Pakistan’s strategic placement in the northwestern reach of the Indian Ocean, complemented by its extensive coastline and deep-sea ports, presents transformative advantages for linking north-south and east-west trade routes. The book offers an in-depth analysis of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and auxiliary regional transit routes in driving future economic advancement and enhanced cross-border integration.
Strategic Geo-Economics and Multimodal Infrastructure Development
The volume traces the historical prominence of ancient trade channels and the evolutionary interaction of regional civilisations. Exploring the vast potential for land, maritime, and multimodal connectivity with Afghanistan, Iran, Central Asia, China, and neighbouring regions, the author identifies deep-sea ports, motorways, railway networks, fibre-optic backbones, energy pipelines, power grids, and modern telecommunication systems as indispensable pillars of regional economic integration.
Furthermore, “CONTESTED CORRIDORS” investigates strategic avenues for connecting Pakistan with Central Asian republics, Russia, the Caucasus, Türkiye, Europe, the Far East, and Southeast Asia. Brigadier Bilal emphasises that the ultimate viability of economic corridors relies not merely on physical infrastructure but equally on institutional capacity, robust legal and regulatory frameworks, continuous human capital development, and dynamic policy monitoring.
Navigating Geopolitics and Policy Reform
The publication evaluates global trends in corridor evolution, analysing major international undertakings such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), CPEC, and CAREC. By examining the strategic geo-economics of the region, the author outlines actionable policy proposals to translate Pakistan’s geographic and maritime assets into long-term economic cooperation.
According to the National Book Foundation, “CONTESTED CORRIDORS” delivers vital analytical insights for researchers, policy experts, academics, and students seeking a thorough understanding of Pakistan’s geo-economic positioning, trade dynamics, and future corridor development.
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